India Relaxes Ban on Exports of Paracetamol, HCQ

Move comes after recommendation of expert panel led by drug pricing regulator

TNN & Agencies

April 08, 2020, 08:15 IST

Our Bureau

New Delhi: India relaxed a ban on exports of paracetamol and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), both used in Covid-19 therapies, and placed them in the licensed category. US President Donald Trump had threatened India with retaliation if it rejected his country’s demand for the supply of hydroxychloroquine, which he sees as key to battling the infection. Doctors and scientists are divided over the efficacy of the drug, used to treat malaria and auto-immune diseases, in combating Covid-19.

The move to ease the export ban followed the recommendation of an expert panel, said officials with knowledge of the matter. The panel led by drug pricing regulator Shubhra Singh had been tasked with assessing the capability and the manufacturing capacity of domestic pharmaceutical companies. ET had reported on Monday that the ban was about to be lifted.

“The decision was taken only after the panel got enough evidence from the companies that we have enough stocks available in the country,” said one of the persons. India is one of the biggest manufacturers of the drug.

Apart from the US, about 30 countries, including South Asian neighbours and key global partners in West Asia, had asked India to lift the ban on hydroxychloroquine exports.

Trump had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday to free up exports of the drug that he sees as a Covid-19 game changer.

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